"It's not poisoned. I can almost guarantee that," he added as he took a sip from his own glass.
"I didn't think it was," she quickly said, as if worried she'd offended him. She reached out and took the glass, bringing it to her lips and taking a small sip as if to please him.
He wanted her to please him – in many erotic ways. His aroused body throbbed as he started picturing a few of the things he'd like to do with her in the very large and private back seat.
Luckily the car ride to Trinity's home wasn't long, and soon the car stopped and Damien sat back while waiting for the driver to open his door. He saw the curiosity on Sierra's face, but he didn't bother explaining what was going on.
His door opened and he gracefully exited the car before holding out his hand to assist Sierra. She looked startled that he was having her come with him. They were at a home, not a business and she didn't see why he'd want her to join him.
"Where are we?" she tentatively asked.
"My friend's home. I promised to stop in before I left. We'll be away for at least two weeks and today is her daughter's birthday party."
"I can wait if you'd like … " she said as she looked at the large house before her.
"No." He gave her no further elaboration as he took her arm, then moved quickly toward the front door.
"Damien Whitfield, you're late," Trinity scolded as she came running down the stairs. "I thought you were going to miss out. Cindi's been asking for you for the past hour."
"I'm sorry, Trin. I got held up." His arms opened and she leapt into them. Seeing Trinity brought warmth to the cold shell around his heart, melting it quickly. She was the only person on the planet he'd drop everything for.
"You can quit pawing all over my wife at any time, now," Drew said as he stood in the doorway with little Joshua sitting on his hip.
"If she wasn't so dang delectable, I may be able to," Damien taunted him. Drew rolled his eyes as he looked over and noticed Sierra standing awkwardly next to the two of them.
"Hi. I'm Trinity, Damien's best friend, though you wouldn't know it since the man never comes to see me anymore. The handsome man up there is my husband, Drew, and he's holding our son, Joshua," Trinity said as she introduced herself and her family.
"I'm Sierra Monroe … uh, Mr. Whitfield's new employee," Sierra said, stumbling over her words a little. Sierra's nervousness could be felt by everyone. Damien felt a bit of guilt over not explaining where they were going.
"Mr. Whitfield. Ha! That's amusing. Don't worry about formalities here. It's a four-year-olds birthday party," Trinity said as she took Sierra's arm in hers and started leading her up the large entrance stairs.
Damien followed behind, not too sure he liked his new employee getting cozy with his best friend. He didn't want his business and personal life to mix. He certainly didn't want his plans for revenge to come anywhere near Trinity. For one thing, she'd throttle him, for another, she'd talk him out of it. He wouldn't be able to stand the conflicting emotions of trying to do the right thing for his deceased mother, and trying not to hurt Trinity.
"Come on Damien. Let's get a drink while the ladies finish setting things up. Don't worry, you're not the last arrival," Drew assured him.
Damien watched as Trinity led Sierra to the kitchen. He shouldn't have brought her to the party. He should've just had the limo drop her at the jet and made her wait on him. He hadn't realized how uncomfortable it would make him to have her alone with Trinity. He should've known she'd try and befriend Sierra. That's just how Trinity was. She instantly liked everyone, and unless they did something to not deserve her trust, she gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.
He accepted a glass of wine from Drew and downed half the glass. He had to refocus and get his head back in the game. He wouldn't let unwanted emotions get in his way.
The Andersons had to pay for what they'd done.
"How's business, Damien?" Derek, Drew's cousin, asked.
"It's been good. I'm heading over to one of my vineyards in Australia right after the party. The land next to my largest property just came up for sale. The man knows I want it so he's trying to charge twice what it's worth. He'll be singing a different tune by the time I leave."
"I have no doubt he will," Ryan piped in with a laugh. Damien figured he'd better tone down his voice. His emotions were a bit out of control.
"I have to say I'm glad you're best friends with my wife, and not a mortal enemy. You tend to get quite the predator's gleam in your eye when you're talking about something you want," Drew said with a laugh.
Drew's cousins both nodded their heads in agreement while joining in the laughter. Damien looked around the room, realizing how uptight he was acting. He forced himself to smile while relaxing his shoulders. He could let down his guard for a couple hours, being among men he trusted.